IWCO Direct Chooses HP PageWide Web Presses to Accelerate Direct Marketing

Rhea-AI Summary

HP Inc. has entered a strategic agreement with IWCO Direct for a multi-million-dollar investment in seven HP PageWide Web Presses. This initiative is part of a broader $50 million investment aimed at enhancing IWCO Direct's performance marketing capabilities using advanced digital printing technology by 2023. The new presses will enable faster, high-quality direct mail production, leveraging HP’s innovative inkjet technology. This collaboration highlights HP's role in driving the shift to digital solutions in marketing communications.

Positive

• IWCO Direct's $50 million investment to enhance digital marketing capabilities.
• Installation of seven high-volume HP presses to improve printing speed and quality.
• Use of advanced inkjet technology for better ROI on marketing investments.
• Capability to produce a wider color gamut and reduce turnaround times.

Negative

• None.

US performance marketing solutions provider moving to all-digital production with investment in seven HP PageWide Web Presses

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and IWCO Direct, a leader in US direct mail and other data-driven performance marketing solutions, today announced a strategic agreement for the supply of a fleet of HP PageWide Web Presses to drive the market for data-driven marketing communications solutions.

The multi-million-dollar investment by IWCO Direct in seven high-volume HP PageWide Web Presses is the cornerstone of a $50 million investment being made by the company to continue to grow their performance marketing business using primarily HP digital printing by 2023. The presses deliver next-level inkjet color quality and speed for a wide range of direct mail applications across a broad range of substrates such as letters, postcards, catalogs, and folded mailers.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfca383e-415c-4c8d-ac06-76d97e5e97ea

“The HP technology upgrades our data-driven performance marketing services to maximize the return on marketing investment (ROMI) for our clients, which is critical in today’s climate. Our clients value the effectiveness of direct mail, but want to produce it faster and integrate it with companion channels, so they can reach their recipients more quickly with personalized, relevant messages,” said John Ashe, CEO of IWCO Direct.

IWCO Direct, headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota, has been adapting its direct marketing business amid the pandemic in response to a shift to targeted marketing based on online ecommerce intelligence. The presses, including the 42-inch HP PageWide T490 HD and 22-inch T250 HD models, are being installed over the next year in the company’s facilities in Chanhassen, Minnesota and Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

High-Definition Nozzle Architecture (HDNA) for HP inkjet printing delivers high quality without compromising on productivity. This, combined with HP’s industry-leading ink formulations, will help IWCO Direct produce a wide, more vivid color gamut for their customers and, with the color Quick Vision system, they can monitor print quality in real-time to improve turnaround times and decrease field errors.

“HP web presses will enable us to deliver smarter products for our customers in offset color quality at a faster speed, while offering more flexibility in scheduling and mail piece design,” added Ashe.

As part of the digital transition, IWCO Direct will be offering clients a digital platform that delivers a level of quality, speed, flexibility, and relevance that will set their campaigns apart in the market.

“This bold investment highlights the momentum we are seeing for digitally printed direct mail that can be personalized with powerful data capabilities. We are seeing that 1:1 tactile experience delivers significantly higher response rates compared with digital advertising,” said Carles Farre, vice president and general manager, HP PageWide Industrial. “We at HP PageWide are proud to be IWCO Direct’s provider of choice to take their print business into the future.”

HP is leading the analog-to-digital revolution in page volume with HP PageWide customers, printing 8 billion pages a month for a total of more 650 billion pages worldwide since the launch of the platform.

More information on HP’s award-winning HP PageWide presses is available at http://www8.hp.com/us/en/commercial-printers/web-presses/overview.html

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5faf62ce-aff9-4e34-b166-a273a58e47cb. Pictured left to right: Dennis Evangelista (Digital Print Manger) and Rick Gradwell (Digital Print Team Lead), Anthony Meckes (Equipment Tech 3), Mike Wytovich (Digital Print Lead A), Ron Wolfgang (HP), Joseph Foos (HP).

About IWCO Direct

As a leading provider of data-driven direct marketing solutions, IWCO Direct’s Power your Marketing™ approach drives response across all marketing channels to create new and more loyal customers. The company’s full range of services includes strategy, creative, and execution for omnichannel marketing campaigns, along with one of the industry’s most sophisticated postal logistics strategies for direct mail. Through Mail-Gard®, IWCO Direct offers business continuity and disaster recovery services to protect against unexpected business interruptions, along with providing print and mail outsourcing services. The company is ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) certified through BSI, reflecting its commitment to data security. Stay current on direct marketing trends, industry news, postal regulations, and more by subscribing to IWCO Direct’s SpeakingDIRECT blog and following the company on LinkedIn.

IWCO Direct is a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Connect, Inc., a publicly traded diversified holding company (Nasdaq Global Select Market symbol “STCN”); Steel Connect, Inc. has two wholly owned subsidiaries, IWCO Direct and ModusLink Corporation. For more information, please visit About Steel Connect, Inc.

About HP Inc.

HP Inc. is a technology company that believes one thoughtful idea has the power to change the world. Its product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions helps bring these ideas to life. Visit http://www.hp.com.

Graham Day, HP
graham.day@hp.com

www.hp.com/go/newsroom

©Copyright 2021 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

FAQ

What is the significance of the partnership between HPQ and IWCO Direct?

The partnership signifies a multi-million-dollar investment to enhance IWCO Direct's digital marketing capabilities through advanced HP PageWide Web Presses.

How many HP PageWide Web Presses is IWCO Direct acquiring?

IWCO Direct is acquiring seven HP PageWide Web Presses as part of their investment to bolster performance marketing.

What is the total investment amount related to the HPQ and IWCO Direct agreement?

The total investment related to the agreement is $50 million, enhancing IWCO Direct's performance marketing capabilities.

When will the new HP PageWide Web Presses be operational?

The new HP PageWide Web Presses will be installed over the next year in IWCO Direct's facilities.

How does HPQ's technology benefit IWCO Direct's marketing services?

HPQ's technology upgrades IWCO Direct's services by maximizing the return on marketing investment through faster and more effective direct mail production.